Frame assembly for surface mount technology stencil

Abstract

A framed stencil for surface mount technology (SMT) is provided. The frame assembly includes a frame member and a binding insert. The frame member includes an inner perimeter portion and an outer perimeter portion that cooperates with the inner perimeter portion to define an elongated channel. The outer perimeter portion includes a first cantilever portion that extends over the elongated channel and towards the inner perimeter portion. The binding insert is configured for releasable insertion into the elongated channel. The binding insert includes a base and a tongue. The base configured to interface with a mesh substrate to facilitate coupling therebetween. The tongue is coupled to the base and extends substantially horizontally from the base. When the binding insert is inserted into the elongated channel, the tongue extending beneath the first cantilever portion to facilitate retention of the binding insert to the frame member. Methods are also provided.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A frame assembly for a framed stencil, the frame assembly comprising:
 a frame member comprising:
 an inner perimeter portion; and 
 an outer perimeter portion that cooperates with the inner perimeter portion to define an elongated channel, the outer perimeter portion comprising a first cantilever portion that extends over the elongated channel and towards the inner perimeter portion; and 
 
 a binding insert that is selectively insertable into the elongated channel, the binding insert comprising:
 a base formed at least partially of selectively meltable material that melts when heated and solidifies when cooled to facilitate coupling of a mesh substrate thereto; and 
 a tongue coupled to the base and extending substantially horizontally from the base, wherein, when the binding insert is inserted into the elongated channel, the tongue extends beneath the first cantilever portion to facilitate retention of the binding insert to the frame member. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The frame assembly of  claim 1  wherein:
 the inner perimeter portion comprises a second cantilever portion that extends over the elongated channel and towards the outer perimeter portion; and 
 when the binding insert is inserted into the elongated channel, the second cantilever portion interfaces with the base to facilitate retention of the binding insert to the frame member. 
 
     
     
       3. The frame assembly of  claim 2  wherein the base comprises a chamfered portion that interfaces with the second cantilever portion. 
     
     
       4. The frame assembly of  claim 1  wherein the frame member is formed of a metal and the binding insert is formed of a thermoplastic. 
     
     
       5. The frame assembly of  claim 1  wherein the first cantilever portion is curved downwardly and the tongue is curved upwardly. 
     
     
       6. The frame assembly of  claim 1  wherein the tongue is coupled with the base via a living hinge. 
     
     
       7. The frame assembly of  claim 1  wherein the binding insert further comprises a plurality of protrusions that extends substantially vertically from the base and is formed at least partially of selectively meltable material that melts when heated and solidifies when cooled to facilitate coupling of a mesh substrate thereto. 
     
     
       8. The frame assembly of  claim 7  wherein, when the binding insert is inserted into the elongated channel, the plurality of protrusions extend above one or more of the outer perimeter portion and the inner perimeter portion. 
     
     
       9. A framed stencil comprising:
 a mesh substrate; 
 a frame assembly comprising:
 an inner perimeter portion; and 
 an outer perimeter portion that cooperates with the inner perimeter portion to define an elongated channel, the outer perimeter portion comprising a first cantilever portion that extends over the elongated channel and towards the inner perimeter portion; and 
 
 a plurality of binding inserts, each binding insert of the plurality of binding inserts being selectively insertable into the elongated channel and comprising:
 a base formed at least partially of selectively meltable material that melts when heated and solidifies when cooled to facilitate coupling of the mesh substrate thereto; and 
 a tongue extending substantially horizontally from the base wherein, when the plurality of binding inserts is inserted into the elongated channel, the tongue of each binding insert of the plurality of binding inserts extends beneath the first cantilever portion to facilitate retention of the plurality of binding inserts to the frame assembly. 
 
 
     
     
       10. The framed stencil of  claim 9  wherein:
 the inner perimeter portion comprises a second cantilever portion that extends over the elongated channel and towards the outer perimeter portion; and 
 each second cantilever portion interfaces with the base of each binding insert of the plurality of binding inserts to facilitate retention of the plurality of binding inserts to the frame assembly. 
 
     
     
       11. The framed stencil of  claim 10  wherein the base of each binding insert of the plurality of binding inserts comprises a chamfered portion that interfaces with the second cantilever portion of the frame assembly. 
     
     
       12. The framed stencil of  claim 9  wherein:
 the first cantilever portion of the frame assembly is curved downwardly; and 
 the tongue of each binding insert of the plurality of binding inserts is curved upwardly. 
 
     
     
       13. The framed stencil of  claim 9  wherein, for each binding insert of the plurality of binding inserts, the tongue is coupled with the base via a living hinge. 
     
     
       14. The framed stencil of  claim 9  wherein each binding insert of the plurality of binding inserts further comprises a plurality of protrusions that extends substantially vertically from the base and is formed at least partially of selectively meltable material that melts when heated and solidifies when cooled to facilitate coupling of the mesh substrate thereto. 
     
     
       15. The framed stencil of  claim 14  wherein, when the plurality of binding inserts is inserted into the elongated channels, the plurality of protrusions extends above one or more of the outer perimeter portion and the inner perimeter portion of the frame assembly. 
     
     
       16. The framed stencil of  claim 9  wherein the frame assembly is substantially rectangular shaped.